For the holidaymakers who are looking to get away from the rat race and enjoy a relaxing vacation, there is no better way of achieving this than spending some time sailing the eastern seaboard of Thailand.

When television or feature films are set on paradise tropical islands, one of the common features is a dramatic waterfall. Waterfalls evoke exotic feelings in the minds of the viewer; something purely natural and intrinsically beautiful. The combination of deserted beaches, rich blue tropical seas and lush tropical forest with the mystical waterfall is presented on screen as the paradise idyll; exceptional in its rarity and almost unattainable in reality. Although such places are indeed rare, these earthly natural paradises do exist in real life and one of the best examples is on the Thai island of Koh Chang.

If you are looking for daytrips in and around Pattaya, you will not be short of options! There are many places for you and your family to have an adventure or two. One of the most popular and most exciting places in the area is Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi. This is no ordinary zoo. It is located in beautiful forests and is more of a sanctuary with many animals free to roam in their very own secure environments. These individual habitats include: desert, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, rocks and mountains.

The world number two ranked golfer, Lee Westwood, has spoken out in favour of a fifth major being added to the men’s golf calendar. He added that for him, the ideal place for the tournament would be Asia or Australia.

In the increasingly globalised world where striving for international standards can lead to blandness it is often an unusual cultural event that catches our eye and sets the pulse racing. The Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival is one of these occasions. A cross between Wild West style rodeo and horse racing, this year the annual event celebrated its 140th anniversary. It was a heady mix of culture, music, feasting and the absolute madness of men racing astride enormous, and shockingly fast, bovine giants.

The Century Golf and Country Club is among the most beautiful courses in Thailand. This magnificent course was designed by the late world-famous golf course architect, Desmond Muirhead, together with one of the all-time golfing greats and six times major winner, Sir Nick Faldo.

If you have a few hours to spare while you are in Pattaya and fancy doing a quick tour of the world, you’ve come to the right place. Located just outside Pattaya on Sukhumvit Road, Mini Siam is a cheesy yet fun way to spend an afternoon. It’s divided into two sections – Mini Siam and Mini Europe - although also contains replicas from countries such as Australia and the US.

Sriracha Tiger Zoo is a sanctuary for tigers and other animals which located in the close vicinity of Pattaya, in Chonburi province. It is about 18 miles outside of Pattaya and very easily reached by car.

While it may be the dreams of Thai Formula One race fans to see a race come to Thailand, a boss at the Singha Corporation has stated that his wish is to have a Thai driver in the sport. The strategic partnership and event manager for Singha, Voravudh Bhirombhaki, believes that having a Thai driver in such a popular sport would bestow a great deal of pride in the country. At the Singapore Grand Prix two weeks ago, he said that although time and large investment was needed, if it resulted in a Thai driver in F1, it would be worth it.

The only classical guitar festival in Thailand will be held for the third successive year in Pattaya on Saturday 29 October. This event, which is open to the public, is known for showcasing the top guitar makers and classical guitar musicians.

Laem Chabang International Country Club is without doubt one of Thailand’s finest golf courses. The 27-hole course was designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus who described Laem Chabang as ‘one of the most beautiful and enjoyable golf courses I have ever designed.’ If you are visiting Pattaya, playing the course is an absolute must for any golfer.

Located just 40 minutes north of Pattaya towards Chonburi and set among hills of tropical forest in the Sri Racha area, Bangpra International Golf Club offers an entertaining day out for golfers of all standards.

Normally the beautiful beaches and the bustling markets of Thailand are what attract the tourists, but now people are arriving for an entirely different reason; golf. Thailand has become one of the top destinations in Asia for a golfing vacation according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Amy is from southern California and has a gleaming white smile. She is enjoying a break in the Thai resort of Pattaya but she is not just visiting for a holiday in the sun, she is one of a growing number of dental tourists coming to Thailand to have work done on their teeth.

In the past couple of decades there has been a huge increase in the requirement orthopaedic treatments. The constant increase in life expectancy by people living in developed countries has led to an increase in older people needing medical treatment of joints, bones, ligaments and muscles. Advances in orthopaedic techniques have resulted in new treatments that can now lead to total recovery for patients that have suffered injuries through trauma or sporting activities which was not possible in the not too distant past.

Westerners who choose to retire in Thailand often have concerns about keeping in contact with friends and family back home. This article continues our series on communicating from Thailand and focuses on the internet options that are available to foreigners living in Thailand.

For any nature loving golfer who wants to experience a unique combination of golf and Thai jungle, a trip to the Soi Dao Highland Golf Club is certainly worthy of consideration. Soi Dao Highland is located in the Soi Dao mountains near the ThaiCambodia border, under 50kms from the town of Chantaburi.